Review: Doomsday Clock #11 (of 12)

We are finally here; the penultimate issue of this seemingly never ending series hits the racks this week. With this issue we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.Â But to get to the final chapter, we have to troll through all the explanations of the previous 10 issues, though there are still a couple of mysteries left to solve centred around a couple of perennial JSA’s and a certain Legionnaire who has been around since the early days of Rebirth.

This book is in full recap mode, thanks to the oldest trick in the book; the monologue spouting villain, though in this case we get two for the price of one with Luther and Ozymandias both waxing lyrical in order to help out us poor readers.Â This sort of issue is a bit of recurrent theme in these “epics”.Â The question is, would we have needed this issue if we didn’t have to wait so long between books?Â In all likelihood, the answer is yes, this issue was as planned as any of the others.

Geoff Johns is the scribe who gets to finally show most of the pieces of his little jigsaw.Â Problem is, I am not sure anyone really cares that much.Â Since issue 1 of this book, DC has had a number of events including Metals, Heroes in Crisis come and go, and is currently in mid-throe of both Event Leviathan and the Year of the Villain, and that’s not counting the various Black Label books.Â If Johns’ intention was aiming to tell the story of Rebirth and/or bring back the JSA or Legion of Superheros, then I am afraid he hasÂ failed on all counts; we are no longer in “Rebirth” mode and both of the aforementioned teams have just made their re-appearance in the latest Justice League book.Â This is such a shame as I thought issue #10 was a fantastic comic, showing the true power of the DC universe; it’s heritage.Â Here, even after all this time, Johns stays true to his Watchmen voice, even if there are less people listening.

Gary Frank is the artist whose skill, must be recognised.Â Strong Bolland like lines seek to add a real world tarnish to the world of superheroes.Â Given the strengths, it is hard to find fault in the bigger picture.Â But look closely and there are inconsistencies in the inks on show, with a mix of “less is more” and a “more is more” approach which can give the book an uneven feel.Â It is almost as if Frank is trying to hard to justify the delay in the publishing schedule.Â As with the writing, the ongoing Watchmen style is still in play in places, though by now the nine panel page is more mainstream than Watchmen.Â One of the unsung heroes on the book is colorist Brad Anderson who manages add more layers onto an already dark landscape. Rob Leigh continues the pastiche elements with some great fonts, especially when it comes to Doctor Manhattan.

I was so looking forward to this series.Â Unfortunately, DC has dropped the ball too many times.Â The already pedestrian pacing has suffered with the infamous delays that this series has suffered.Â Throw in the excellent, high quality House and Powers of X from Marvel and you get to see how this books should have been produced and received.Â As it is,Â Doomsday Clock feels over long, over tired and over played.Â Can the final issue both rescue and validate this whole series?

Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars

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Written by; Geoff Johns
Art by; Gary Frank
Colors by; Brad Anderson
Letters by; Rob Leigh
Published by; DC Comics

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network